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26 Jun, 2025
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Wallabies not dwelling on World Cup loss to Fiji ahead of Lions series warm-up
@Source: abc.net.au
The Wallabies insist they bear no scars from their last Test against Fiji as they continue preparations for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series. A one-off Test against the island nation in Newcastle on July 6 will be the Wallabies' sole hit-out before facing the Lions in the series opener in Brisbane. In their last clash at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Fijians effectively derailed Australia's campaign in their pool match, recording their first win since 1954. Ben Donaldson is one of 10 players left in the Wallabies' squad that crashed 23-15 in Saint-Étienne. Fly half Donaldson said the Wallabies had moved on from the defeat to Fiji. "It wasn't a great day for us or Australian rugby, but that's in the past now, and we just look forward," Donaldson said from the Wallabies' training camp in Sydney. "We haven't really talked about the past. It's just about what's coming day by day, getting better each day as an individual and as a team as well. "It's been two years now … a lot of boys have had a lot of growth since then and played superbly in Super Rugby and had Test match experience, we're full of confidence and we back everyone here in the squad." Donaldson is in a three-way battle to wear the Wallabies' number 10 jersey in the opening Lions Test on July 19. The Western Force playmaker is up against the Queensland Reds' Tom Lynagh and ACT Brumbies incumbent Noah Lolesio. "This week's been pretty tough, and there's been some high expectations already from the coaches," Donaldson said. "Obviously, people always say there's great competition for spots in this squad, and that's the only way you get better. "For us, it's just about working hard, knuckling down, getting over our knowledge, and really driving this team around. "We can't use the excuse that we're young anymore because we've been here for a fair few years, so really trying to have that voice in the squad." The Lions play their first match in Australia against the Force in Perth on Saturday evening. They lost 28-24 to Argentina in Dublin last Saturday AEST before departing for Australia.
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